LCC gingerly addresses ‘homeless bill of rights’

Council members and city leaders from across the California desert areas met Friday at the China Lake Naval Museum to discuss policy and updates as part of the League of California Cities Desert Mountain Division's April meeting.

Council members and city leaders from across the California desert areas met Friday at the China Lake Naval Museum to discuss policy and updates as part of the League of California Cities Desert Mountain Division's April meeting.

The meeting, the first held in Ridgecrest in more than three years and the third one overall, touched on numerous reports and policies the League was addressing in terms of redevelopment-agency-related lawsuits against the state, state legislation and policies.

Ridgecrest Mayor Dan Clark and all four city council members were present, sitting at different parts of the table.

One of the top issues coming from the League's committees was concern over Assembly Bill 5, authored by Democratic Assemblyman Tom Ammiano from San Francisco.

“It's a homeless bill of rights,” said LCC Mountain Division president Thurston “Smitty” Smith, Mayor Pro Tem of Hesperia. “They will have rights more than we as citizens will and the city will have to supply them with lawyers, all your public buildings will be open to homeless 24/7, so they can use the facilities.”

Smith reported that it had come out of the first round of committee hearings and would be tossed up to the next tier of hearings.

The bill has already passed in one state assembly committee, with a 7-3 vote on April 23.

Ridgecrest Vice Mayor Chip Holloway, who sits on the LCC said the proposed law would require police departments to create a new level of reporting and accountability. It also raises potential political concerns as well.

“The biggest problem is one politically that no one will admit to, nobody wants to come out against homelessness,” Holloway said. “This thing could get through because no one will stand up and say it's stupid.”

Palmdale Councilman Steven Hofbauer said the LCC’s position on AB 5 would be tricky.

“No one wants to come out against the homeless, so what do we say? Support If Amended, Oppose Unless Amended, Watch?” Hofbauer said. “The way it is written right now, it will make a huge impact.”

He said Lancaster might be anticipating it by looking at various areas to establish “tent cities” in the advent the bill passes through the committee and is signed by Gov. Jerry Brown.

League Branding

Holloway recommended that LCC members begin focusing on how their involvement in the organization benefitted cities.

“I think what we need to do is market the brand better,” Holloway said, noting the organization's reputation was strong in and of itself.

“People need to know why we sit in these meetings and how it affects them,” Holloway said.

He said that many cities might find themselves defending the cost of functions, including the travel costs to Sacramento and policies.

Page 2 of 2 - “I think some people expect us to be in photos with those big checks and saying 'Oh, we brought back $50,000,'” Holloway said.

He said it was contacts and influence one could build for their local communities that matter the most.

“You've got to explain to your people that not every time you'll get a check, but the relationships in the League pay huge dividends and you'll never know what will happen,” Holloway said.